WNAM REPORT: Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar on Tuesday sent off 29 scholarship recipients from the Istiqlal Mosque Ulama Cadre Education Program for short courses in the United States.
The initiative aims to strengthen the academic capacity of Indonesia’s future Islamic scholars through international academic networks.
Twenty-one students will study at the University of California, Riverside, while eight will attend Hartford International University.
“This opportunity does not come to everyone. Focus on learning, broaden your horizons, and value every moment,” Nasaruddin Umar said in Jakarta.
He praised the participants for passing a competitive selection process, noting that studying in the United States is a responsibility requiring dedication and discipline.
Sending Indonesian ulama to global educational centers is part of efforts to boost the country’s educational diplomacy and cultivate a moderate, globally competitive religious perspective, he added.
The minister urged students to make full use of their time abroad, emphasizing that punctuality and diligence are key to developing the next generation of Islamic scholars.
“Use your time wisely. Do not let any learning opportunity pass without meaning,” he said.
Nasaruddin Umar also encouraged participants to apply their knowledge for the public good, not just personal advancement.
“The knowledge you gain must benefit the community. You are expected to bridge Indonesia’s scholarly traditions with global experience in ways that serve society,” he said.
The Istiqlal Mosque Ulama Cadre Education Program is a mosque-based initiative designed to produce religious leaders with deep Islamic knowledge, national awareness, and the ability to address global challenges in a moderate and constructive manner.
